The settings below are a starting point.  From there, you can adjust based on the input signal or desired effect.

 

Signal Chain

For live sound and recording, you typically want to run an AUX (or FX) send from your mixer to the pedal chain, then return the signal on a stereo input channel (some mixers have dedicated stereo returns).  Using an AUX send allows you to send multiple instruments to the effects, varying the level of each independent of its fader level.  For "ambient" effects like reverb and delay, you can use a post-fader send so that the effect level follows the fader.  For "mangling," sampling, or synth effects, you can use a pre-fader send so that a consistent signal level is sent to the effect, then adjust the levels and pans of the original signal and effect return.


Connect a TS to TS (mono) cable from the mixer's AUX send output to the Raster's input.  Use a TRS to TRS (stereo) cable between the Raster and Context.  Finally, use a TRS to dual TS (insert) cable to connect the Context's output to the mixer's stereo effects return or a stereo channel.  Using a mixer channel allows you to EQ the overall effect return.


Note that running the effects in series means that the input to the Context will be the effect output from the Raster, 


Configuring the Pedals


Raster 2:Context 2:


Use the Raster web editor to configure the Raster for +8 dBu input level, Mono In / Stereo Out, and Kill Dry bypass mode. Kill Dry will completely mute the input signal, even in bypass, which will avoid phase and volume issues when the effect return is mixed with the direct sound.


Use the Context web editor to configure the Context for +8 dBu input level, Stereo In / Stereo Out, and DSP bypass mode.


Raster 2 Vocal Doubling

Primary (left) and ALT (right) settings for doubling


The BLEND control is set to 5:00, which works for kill dry or a different bypass mode.


Modulation RATE and DEPTH are both at their minimum (7:00).


Feedback (FDBK) is off (7:00).  The feedback structure (top center toggle) does not matter as long as it is forward (center or right position).


Shift mode (top left toggle) is set to detune (center), for small pitch changes.


Delay range (top right toggle) is set to the shortest range (left).


Both stomp switches are set to L (latching), to turn the effects on or off.  Since we configured the Raster for kill dry bypass above, setting the Raster to bypass will turn off the delay and reverb (with trails).   


We'll start with delay and then detuning, in both cases starting with an exaggerated setting to dial in the left/right tilt, then reduce the amount until it is barely perceptible. 


Set DELAY and FDBK to noon.  Now, hold the ALT switch and move the DELAY knob to about 1:00, so that the delay seems to pull to the right a bit. The left and right delays are offset by a few milliseconds (this is the Haas effect).  As you adjust the delay time, they will remain offset by the same amount.  Setting ALT-DELAY above noon will cause the right channel to have a slightly shorter delay.


Now, turn the FDBK off (7:00).  Slowly reduce the DELAY time until the dry and delayed signals start to blend, between 8:00 and 10:00. We will start with 8:30, since the detuning will also add a small amount of delay.


Detune mode smoothly shifts from a 4th down to a major third up, with emphasis on small pitch ratios.  The ALT-SHIFT control adjusts the detuning ratio between the left and right channels.  To hear the effect, start with the SHIFT control set to maximum (5:00).  Make sure the SHIFT footswitch is on (left LED is orange).  Both channels will be shifted up a major third.  Holding the ALT button while turning the SHIFT knob counterclockwise from noon will first cause the right channel to be detuned less than the right channel, then have no detuning, and then detuned in the opposite direction.  Hold the ALT button and set SHIFT to about 10:30, so the left channel has a higher pitch than the right channel.


After adjusting the SHIFT left/right tilt, release the ALT button and adjust the detuning.  Start with the SHIFT control around 3:00, then slowly move it towards noon until the detuning is barely perceptible, around 1:00.


You may want to tweak the DELAY time again after dialing in the SHIFT amount.


Context 2 Vocal Reverb with Delay

Primary (left) and SHIFT (right) settings for lead vocal reverb and delay


Starting with the reverb settings, I used the CATHedral algorithm for a bright, large sound.  HALL has a slower buildup that will soften the vocals a bit .  The PLATE algorithm has a stronger attack and also works well, but you'll want to turn down the modulation amount a little.  The ROOM reverb will be more in-your-face, GATE has an interesting unnatural decay, and REVerse will cause the reverb to come towards the listener (reduce the MOD and HI control to accentuate the effect).  The GRAIN algorithm uses a modulated multi-tap delay that will thicken the vocal without any smearing.


BLEND is set around 10:30 so that the input (doubled) signal is prominent and the reverb fills in the space around it.


PREdelay is off (5:00), since we added some delay using the Raster.


The reverb DECAY is set around 11:00.


The MODulation amount is set around 11:00 so that it is dominated by a pitch-stable random modulation (using HALL).    Reduce this to around 9:00 if using PLATE.


To set the SHIFT parameters, you can hold the SHIFT button down or double tap it for shift lock (press once to return).


The DELAY is set around 11:00 for about 500 milliseconds of delay.  FDBK is 10:15 for a few audible repeats.


The reverb/delay BAL is set around 10:00 so the delay is barely audible.


The modulation RATE is slow, about 8:00. 


Dynamics (SHIFT-HI and SHIFT-LO) are not used.


Background Vocals

For background vocals, you can increase the reverb DECAY and reverb/delay BAL so that the reverb tail is longer and the repeats are more prominent.


Using Insert Effects

You can turn off Kill Dry and use Analog+FX Level bypass on the Raster to keep the dry signal when using the Raster-Context pedal chain on a channel insert.  The Raster's blend control will adjust the level of the doubling effect.  The Context's blend control will set the balance between the doubled sound and the reverb + delay.


Presets

The Raster has four presets accessible on the front panel.  The Context has one preset accessible through the PRESET footswitch (with spillover), so you can switch between a short and long reverb.  You can access 127 presets on each pedal using a MIDI controller.


Getting Weird

  • The Raster's delay range (top right) toggle switch will switch between 1x, 2x, and 4x delay time.  Increase the delay time for certain phrases.
  • Crank up the Raster's feedback (FDBK) and DELAY time.  You can synchronize the delay to tempo by setting the left footswitch to TAP and and tapping in a tempo using the left footswitch.  To cancel tap tempo, hold the left footswitch or adjust the DELAY knob.
  • Use the Raster's frequency shift setting instead of detuning for a different texture.
  • Use the Raster's modulation to add some randomness to the vocal doubling:
    • The smooth random LFO waveform (◯◯◯⬤) works well.
    • Use a slow modulation rate (around 9:00) and moderate depth (8:00-11:00) so the effect is subtle.
    • You can assign the modulation to detune or delay time by holding the ALT button and moving the shift mode toggle switch (center for shift, right for delay).
    • Alternatively, use the envelope (⬤⬤⬤◯) or inverse envelope (◯⬤⬤⬤) waveforms for dynamic modulation.
    • Adjust the LFO L/R phase (ALT-RATE) to have different randomization of the left and right channels.
  • Extreme delay modulation on the Raster will give you broken tape reverb:
    • Make sure modulation is assigned to DELAY (which is the default).
    • The smooth random LFO waveform (◯◯◯⬤) will give broken tape effects, but other waveforms also give interesting results.
    • Set the modulation RATE to 1:30-5:00 and DEPTH to 3:00-5:00.
    • Increase the delay time by changing the delay range or adjusting the DELAY knob.
    • Adjust the LFO L/R phase (ALT-RATE) to have different randomization of the left and right channels.
  • Hold the Context's ON (right) stomp switch to freeze the reverb. The live sound will still have reverb (with the default settings).
  • To engage drone mode, hold the ON stomp switch, hold the SHIFT button, release the ON switch, then release the SHIFT button. Press the ON switch again to turn off the drone.
  • Use the web editor to set the Context's Right Freeze mode to Infinite Sustain.  Now, holding the ON stomp switch will cause the sound to build up.